Essay on Book Summary of the Bible Among the Myths

Introduction Author John N. Oswalt begins The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature? with a concise and well-written introduction that whets the reader’s appetite, compelling one to continue reading. He begins by informing the reader that his novel has been in the works dating all of the way back to the 1960s, when he attended the Asbury Theological Seminary. Oswalt quickly points out that one of the main points that the book will focus on is determining if â€Å"the religion of the Old Testament [is] essentially similar to, or essentially different from, the religions of its neighbors.†1 Oswalt is swift to acknowledge a major difference between the Old Testament and the religions of the Israelites Near†¦show more content†¦Is it Appropriate to Classify the Bible as Myth? In this particular section, Oswalt begins by arguing that you cannot rationalize calling the Bible a myth until you have a clear definition of the word â€Å" myth.† He continues by pointing out how difficult it is to actually define what a â€Å"myth† is. Oswalt emphasizes that â€Å"Rogerson goes so far as to say that there are so many differences in opinion on the subject that no one definition is possible.†4 The definitions for the word â€Å"myth† can be divided into two distinct categories: historical-philosophical and the phenomenological, or descriptive. Regardless of the analysis of the word â€Å"myth† and its various meanings, Oswalt concludes that Bible is definitely not a myth in way, shape, form, or fashion. He writes, â€Å"Rather it is a rehearsal of the nonrepeatable acts of God in identifiable time and in concert with human beings. Its purpose is to provoke human choices and behavior through the medium of memory.†5 Continuity: The Basis of Mythical Thinking Continuity as the Ruling Concept in Myth Myths are distinctive because of their continuity. Every aspect of a myth co-exists. They are intertwined, and there is no distinction between humanity, nature, and the deity. One of the interesting aspects of myths is that they lack barriers, and as a consequence, humans can actually participate in the nature and in the divine. Furthermore, symbols are reality. Everything is connected, and the lines areShow MoreRelatedEssay about Book Summary The Bible Among the Myths2835 Words   |  12 Pagesï » ¿ INTRODUCTION The book opens with an introduction comparing the study of the Old Testament and the other religions and cultures of other peoples from the Ancient Near East. Scholars used to believe that the Old Testament was unique among other beliefs in the Ancient Near East but they now view the Old Testament as identical to other religions of its day and time. The author also discusses the vital philosophical distinction between â€Å"essence† and â€Å"accident.† When removing an essential featureRead MoreBook Summary: the Bible Among the Myths by John N. Oswalt Essay3529 Words   |  15 PagesABSTRACT John Oswalt, in his book The Bible Among the Myths, presents his position to the reader that the bible is different and separate from other writings of the Ancient Near East. He asserts the Bible is both historically accurate and theologically sound. He makes the defense the Bible was divinely inspired and revealed to humanity and unique from other Ancient Near East literature. There was a time when the Bible, and the Israelite religion was different from its neighboring societies.Read MoreMs Paul2146 Words   |  9 PagesBible Among the Myths Malcom College English 093 Ms. Smith 01/23/2012 Introduction The book is an analysis of the Biblical view of the world and compares it other works in the Ancient Near East of that time with the development of the Bible. This is done by an in-depth analysis of the underlying beliefs inherent in mythology and the Biblical text. Of primary significance is the authors portrayal of the Biblical insistence on monotheism and divine transcendence compared to the polytheisticRead MoreEssay on The Bible Among the Myths Summary3696 Words   |  15 PagesSUMMARY OF JOHN N. OSWALT’S BOOK THE BIBLE AMONG THE MYTHS David Strickland Old Testament Introduction - OBST 590 June 1, 2013 Introduction The author, John N. Oswalt, was first introduced to the subject of this book in his seminary studies in the 1960s. Oswalt introduces his book with a narrative of the similarities and differences that exist between the Old Testament and the literature of the Ancient Near East. Prior to the 1960s scholars believed that the Old Testament was unique and didRead MoreThe Cyclops Scene In Flannery OConnors Good Country People1508 Words   |  7 Pagesleg. A Bible seller named Manley Pointer comes into her life, and eventually he steals Joy’s artificial leg. Flannery O’Connor, the author of Good Country People, was a boarder of Robert and Sally Fitzgerald (Alexander 2016). Robert Fitzgerald is known as one of the best Greek translators in English, and his work includes Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey (Mitgang 1985). 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